Back to flatter roads as the race speeds down to Cava de'Tirreni on the stunning Amalfi coast. There will be little time for sightseeing on what has recently been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. Breakaway specialists may get more leeway thanks to the time gaps created by yesterday's first summit finish, but will have to be fully committed to hold off the sprint trains of Greipel, Petacchi and co. The sprinters will want to sort this one out between themselves.

Procycling's favourite to win:

Robbie McEwen, who will be 38 soon after this race finishes, has 11 Giro stage wins and has looked more his old self this year after battling injuries last year. With Danilo Napolitano offering Katusha another strong sprint option, the Russian squad look good for one stage win at least. Why not today?

Pozzato says:

"I don't know these roads very well but, in the south, the heat is often a factor. Conversely, if it rains, the roads down here are particularly greasy and therefore treacherous. The profile suggests a sprint finish. With Cavendish not riding, I expect Petacchi to be the fastest man in the race."